Industry News

We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this month's sponsor -- Metropac. Metropac sells exclusively to wholesalers, OEM’s, and manufacturer reps, throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Major product lines include, Honeywell, Invensys, Johnson Controls, Robertshaw, White-Rodgers and much more.  Visit their redesigned web site at www.metropac.com to see their complete product offerings. Or call their sales department at 800-852-HEAT(4328)

 

To find out more about special e-newsletter advertising opportunities, please contact your Wholesaler sales rep by visiting www.thewholesaler.com.

 

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Metropac announces annual Spring Stock Up promotion.

 

Stock up for the heating season and take advantage of our lowest prices of the season on Braeburn, Honeywell, Johnson,  Robertshaw, White Rodgers and other HVAC/R manufacturers.   Receive bonus gifts with qualifying orders and earn substantial savings as well.  Metropac will be accepting spring stock up orders from April 1st through April 25th only.  If you haven’t received your spring stock up flyer yet request one from one of Metropac knowledgeable sales representatives by calling 800-852-4328, or you can download it from their website at www.metropac.com.

 

It’s easy to do business with Metropac.  They offer same day shipping, convenient web order entry, competitive prices, and a knowledgeable sales staff that is willing to go that extra mile.  There’s no minimum order and never any inconvenience. Just the prompt courteous service you deserve. 

 

Bradford White transitions Canadian facility into DC

 

Bradford White's 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Mississauga, Ont. has been converted into a distribution center serving all of Canada. Production of oil-powered and indirect water heaters has been moved to Bradford White's manufacturing facilities in Middleville, Mich. The Laars Heating Systems, a subsidiary of Bradford White Corporation, was also part of the conversion. All Laars Canadian operations at their Oakville, Ont., facility, including distribution, order processing, product conversion and training have joined Bradford White-Canada in Mississauga. Two-thirds are dedicated to Bradford White products. The other third will be reserved for Laars Heating Systems products. Replacement parts for both companies are also inventoried at the new distribution center.

 

Three inducted into PVF Hall of Fame

 

It's with great pride that The Wholesaler unveils the seventh consecutive year of the PVF Hall of Fame. Current entries -- PVF manufacturer Legend Valve, and PVF distributors National Oilwell Varco and Consumers Pipe -- have maintained the high standards of distinction achieved in previous years.

 

The Hall of Fame now includes 14 manufacturers, two association icons, and 21 gilt-edged distributor groups. The greatest tribute to the success of these honorees is that six of them have been acquired and two others have been in discussion regarding acquisition possibilities. It's no coincidence that Ferguson acquired Frischkorn, Liberty Equipment and Davidson Pipe after they had been inducted in to the Hall of Fame. Or that both McJunkin and Red Man Pipe, charter entries in 2003, were taken over primarily by premier Wall Street investment banker Goldman Sachs. A part of the Red Man Pipe purchase was Bear Tubular, which had been considered as a prospect for induction at the time Red Man acquired them, after both they and Ferguson had considered them favorably.

 

Wholesaler-distributors to elevate their skills at NAW course

 

For the 57th consecutive year, the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors will convene its flagship classroom educational course, the Wholesale Distribution Manager's Course (WDMC), June 9 – 13 at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. The WDMC combines classroom instruction, small group discussions and computer laboratories, all centered on a specially designed wholesale distribution industry case study.

 

For five intensive days, dozens of distribution managers will take a comprehensive look across the entire distribution business and cover all major functional areas, including sales management, value-added services, market-focused planning, financial management and control, human resources management and teamwork and supply chain management. Experienced instructors lead classroom discussion each day. Registrants are assigned to teams, which gather each evening for brainstorming. The emphasis of the teamwork is on original and creative idea generation and real-world problem solving as the ultimate goal.

 

The WDMC is ideal for distributor personnel responsible for a branch, region, area, division, territory or functional area of the business. Companies of all sizes are represented at the course. Personnel from companies with less than $5 million in sales to more than $1 billion attended last year.

 

Full details and how to register for the Early Bird discount are available at www.naw.org/WDMC08. Discounts apply to companies that send groups.

 

Swan Corp. announces new strategies

 

Because of today's sluggish economy, many homeowners have refrained from selling and, instead, are remodeling in order to increase the value of their homes. Much like these homeowners, Swan Corp. is remodeling - not a home, but the company itself.

 

Swan has announced Focus 20/10, an initiative that defers to a clear new vision for the company and includes a strategic refocus on core products, the introduction of custom installation and new products in core categories within the next year.

 

"We've recognized that our brand was becoming diluted because we were trying to be a little of everything to a lot of audiences," said Swan's new president, Steven Anderson. "For the past several months, the entire organization has stepped back to evaluate what we offer our channel partners that provides differentiation and to ask ourselves the hard questions of what to do with those elements that don't. This effort has enabled us to address our core strengths and to deliver a new level of solutions to our customers and, ultimately, to the consumer."

 

Through the Focus 20/10 initiative, Swan has identified core product areas that will garner a great deal of support from product development, customer relations and marketing perspectives. These core product areas include walls, floors and vanity tops. Swan will also continue to develop innovative solutions that include their other wall products, Swanstone kitchen sinks and granite kitchen sinks.

New Products

Eco-friendly suite ads touch of elegance www.deltafaucet.com The Lahara bath suite enriches any home with its sleek lines and stark angles, while also satisfying the demand for a design-forward, water-efficient product offering. The lav faucets feature a 1.5-gpm aerator flow combined with a sleek, high arc spout to complement any décor. The smart water-delivery system maximizes water savings without sacrificing performance. Delta Faucet.

Multi-functional shower system www.hansgrohe.com The new, more stylish Raindance Connect turns the shower into a multi-function retreat. Available in chrome and brushed nickel; its innovative, patented, plug-in system and water-conducting showerpipe allows users to click the wand-like handshower into the bottom of the showerpipe to divert the water through the pipe into the showerhead. Hansgrohe.

Distinctive faucet collection www.jado.com Reminiscent of the radiant silhouette of a perfume bottle, the new illume collection of faucets and accessories has a subtly shifting shape -- a gentle flair from round to square -- that is harmonious with a range of styles for homes and distinctive hotels. Lavatory faucets feature a new technology that ensures the drain rod will always be a perfect fit. Jado.

Instant hot water dispensers www.insinkerator.com The new Series 2200 line of instant hot water dispensers consists of two traditional high-end faucet models: Country and Victorian. Country model fits well with farmhouse style kitchens. It features a C spout with a decorative high arc and an overall country-inspired look. Victorian model features a unique L spout and is appropriate for any vintage-inspired kitchen or an eclectic and modern design mix. Both designs are available in hot/cool and hot-only water models. Models come standard with the F-201 filtration system to reduce chlorine taste and odor. InSinkErator

Movers & Shakers

WinWholesale has appointed two company veterans to oversee operations for the Win Group of Companies in parts of the West and Southern areas of the U.S. Jim Kennaugh was named an area leader in WinWholesale's Western region, and Rob McCullough was named region manager for Noland Company's Southern and Southeast regions. Noland is a wholly owned subsidiary of WinWholesale.

Rheem Manufacturing Company CEO JR Jones announced the appointment of Chris Peel to the position of corporate senior vice president and COO effective immediately. He is filling the position that Jones held prior to his appointment to CEO last month. Peel comes to Rheem with nearly 20 years of varied industry experience.  He most recently held positions with Heatcraft Worldwide Refrigeration - Americas, a division of  Lennox International. Peel’s primary responsibility will be for the growth of the Heating & Cooling and the Water Heating business units.  He also will oversee research and development, manufacturing, marketing, strategic sourcing and replacement parts

Mincron Software Systems promoted Wendy Berger to vice president-operations. She will oversee Mincron’s product development, professional services and customer service. Berger’s career with Mincron began in 1984 and she has especially distinguished herself as a customer advocate. For the past 24 years, Berger has played a pivotal role in the management team at Mincron, developing implementation teams and procedures, orchestrating the Education Department, and establishing and overseeing the support team.